Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Tue 7 April 2026 7:10, UK

West Ham United were without Aaron Wan-Bissaka for their FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Leeds United – and must now ask serious questions about why.

The Hammers were eliminated after a dramatic penalty shootout at the London Stadium on Sunday and will now have to focus all their efforts on their Premier League survival bid.

With the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo absent from the squad, Nuno Espirito Santo was forced to shake up his starting XI.

But while the aforementioned trio missed out due to injury concerns, Wan-Bissaka could not be selected because he took part in a celebratory parade in DR Congo.

It was a truly bizarre situation, but figures at the club will not be happy. Wan-Bissaka could have been crucial against Leeds, leaving Nuno to wonder about what might have been.

Why was Aaron Wan-Bissaka missing for West Ham?

According to various reports, DR Congo president Felix Tshisekedi organised a celebration for the squad after they beat Jamaica to seal their spot at the World Cup this summer.

Wan-Bissaka played the whole of the play-off final last Tuesday and then remained in the country, despite being expected to report back to West Ham ahead of the cup tie.

Of course, Kyle Walker-Peters was given the nod at right-back against Leeds but delivered an average showing before the Hammers’ cruel heartbreak from the spot.

Risking an international storm, DR Congo’s parade took place just hours before the showdown. It is not known whether Wan-Bissaka was authorised to rejoin his club.

However, if he was not, FIFA regulations were flagrantly breached. Indeed, players must return to their clubs no later than 48 hours after a match.

West Ham must demand answers from FIFA

This is clearly not acceptable, regardless of whether Wan-Bissaka had been given the green light to jet back to London. He should have been in the squad against Leeds at the very least.

Walker-Peters stepped in admirably, but he does not offer the same attacking thrust as his team-mate. There can be no doubt that this hamstrung the Hammers on their big day.

Now, West Ham must demand answers from FIFA.

There is a very recent precedent, with Lille complaining to the governing body’s disciplinary bodies after DR Congo retained Chancel Mbemba for the same parade.

West Ham would have every right to push for compensation in what would likely be a slam-dunk case, but even that amount wouldn’t make up for their FA Cup knockout.